Prepare a marketing report that shows what to do next
Gather the numbers and their definitions, compare periods, and separate observations from interpretations.
Let's understand the idea
A report full of charts can still leave you unsure what to change. Start with its goal: do you want to understand inquiry quality, content performance, or where traffic changed? Collect the period, sources, and metric definitions before comparing.
An increase in a number does not automatically mean one campaign caused it. Have the assistant show the figures, calculation method, and gaps, then suggest explanations and tests. If the report repeats, test it manually before connecting a source or scheduling an update.
Tools for this workflow
Choose from what's available to you. You can use these prompts with several tools. What they can carry out depends on supported features and files.
See tool details and uses in the Tools library →Examples to expand the idea
The owner of a handmade brand advertises on Facebook and Instagram. She exported the month's ad, message, and order figures and asked for a report showing what actually brought in orders. It turned out that the video ad brought in fewer messages but more orders, so she focused her budget on it.
Paid campaign report
Separate platforms, attribution windows, currency, and periods. Define aggregated figures before comparing them.
Weekly content review
Connect each piece to its goal instead of automatically choosing the one with the most views.
Team report
Show what changed, the evidence, and what needs a decision, with source links and the people actually named as responsible.
Steps from start to delivery
Open any step by its heading. Each explains what to do, why, and what to check before continuing.
1Define the report's questionA clear question and definitions.Details
Choose metrics based on the decision you need to make.
What should I do?
- Define the goal, period, comparison, and reading audience.
- Write down metric definitions and where each source is located.
2Collect the correct versionsSources you can cross-check.Details
Combining files from different periods can produce a misleading comparison.
What should I do?
- Upload the exports or connect the appropriate source if available.
- Check dates, currency, time zone, duplicates, and missing data.
3Check the calculationsCalculations you have checked before charting.Details
Missing figures are different from zero.
What should I do?
- Ask for the calculation table and aggregation method.
- Match samples and totals against the original, and explain attribution limitations.
4State conclusions with their limitsA report that shows what is known and what is missing.Details
An observation and its possible cause are different things.
What should I do?
- Separate what appears in the data from hypotheses.
- Choose charts that serve the question and write a summary and proposed decisions.
5Repeat after the first version worksA report you can update, or a schedule that is actually confirmed.Details
Scheduling does not replace testing the calculations and sources.
What should I do?
- Try updating with a new file and make sure the figures change correctly.
- If you will schedule it, define the time, available sources, and how failures will be reported.
Prompts for your work
Open a prompt and fill in your details. Empty fields remain visible so you don't forget them.
Analyze and check the dataOpen it to copy or tailor the prompt
Prepare the listed inputs and start with the prompt in an available tool. Open the output and review it against your work.
Copy the prompt as it is, or tailor it with your details first.
Tailor the prompt to your workOptional: add your details and the prompt adjusts itself
View full prompt
Why is the prompt written this way?
Understanding columns and calculations matters more than the dashboard's appearance. Testing filters confirms interactions work.
Deliver the report and updateOpen it to copy or tailor the prompt
Copy the prompt as it is, or tailor it with your details first.
Tailor the prompt to your workOptional: add your details and the prompt adjusts itself
View full prompt
Did the result serve your original goal?
Return to the inputs and sources, and open the output where you'll use it. Check these points before relying on it.
- Do the totals and periods match?
- Is the explanation separate from the figure?
- Does the suggestion serve a specific decision?
If there's a problem, name the unsuitable part, show an example, and request a specific edit.